Dawn Staley responds to ’embarrassing’ defeat against UConn, marking the end of 71-game home winning streak

In a shocking turn of events, South Carolina suffered their most significant loss in nearly seven years this weekend, as they were defeated 87-58 by UConn. The Gamecocks’ margin of defeat marked their worst since the Huskies handed them a 29-point loss in the 2018 Elite Eight.

Postgame, Dawn Staley expressed her team’s need for improvement, saying, “We got, we got to play better. We got to perform better. We just really had an embarrassing performance and we got to get back, get things back on track.”

From the midpoint of the first quarter, South Carolina never managed to close the gap. UConn, after a seven-point lead at the start of the second quarter, extended it to 22 by halftime, eventually increasing the margin to nearly 30 by the final buzzer. With the win, UConn improved to 24-3, while South Carolina dropped to 23-3.

This defeat also marked the end of another significant streak for South Carolina, one of several broken in recent months. UCLA ended their 43-game win streak back in November, Texas broke their 57-game conference winning streak just last weekend, and now, UConn has ended the Gamecocks’ 71-game home win streak at Colonial Life Arena.

However, as Staley pointed out, this only resets the Gamecocks’ journey for new streaks: “I feel really bad for our, our fans. I mean, they packed the house. They did their part. I mean, I think we have probably – all of our streaks have been broke this particular year. But it was a hell of a ride. I mean, to win 71 straight – is it 71? 70, 71 straight here. We got a chance to start a new streak on Thursday.”

Despite these setbacks, South Carolina still stands as a top-ten team, just half a game out of first place in their conference, with four games remaining before they return to league play this week. Staley emphasized, “We’ve got to get back at it.”

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First-Round Projections Have South Carolina DT T.J. Sanders As a Top NFL Draft Pick

The 2025 NFL Draft process is in full swing, and former South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders is now considered a potential first-round pick.

Although Sanders might have flown under the radar this season due to the dominant performances of South Carolina’s EDGE rushers, Dylan Stewart and Kyle Kennard, he is gaining recognition as the draft approaches. National analysts, including NFL Network’s lead draft expert, Daniel Jeremiah, are starting to take notice of Sanders’ impressive tape.

Jeremiah recently released his updated NFL Mock Draft, where he has Sanders going 31st overall to the Philadelphia Eagles. Regarding the potential selection, Jeremiah commented:

“There has not been a lot of buzz for Sanders, but I thought his tape was outstanding. He’s really twitchy and would fit right in with the bevy of talented defensive linemen in Philly.”

T.J. Sanders’ accolades include:

• 2024 Third-Team All-America (College Football Nation)
• 2024 First-Team All-SEC (College Football Nation)
• 2024 Second-Team All-SEC (AP, Phil Steele)
• 2024 SEC Interior Defender of the Year (College Football Nation)
• 2023 Third-Team All-SEC (College Football Network)
• 2023 Fourth-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)
• 2023 Nutrition Award
• 2023 Rex Enright Defensive Player of the Spring
• 2023 co-South Carolina Spirit Award – Defense